Pipe Major from Westford brings comfort when most needed

Tuesday

Oct 2, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 2, 2012 at 2:03 AM

Bill Cashman is the pipe major for the Westford Pipes and Drums. He has been a Westford Firefighter since 2001. a fourth generation of firefighters in his family. He and his wife have three Scottish terriers. He said his dream gig would be to pipe on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

“He’s from Scotland and my wife and I watch him every night,” Cashman said. Below he provides insight into bagpipe playing.

Joyce Pellino Crane

Bill Cashman is the pipe major for the Westford Pipes and Drums. He has been a Westford Firefighter since 2001. a fourth generation of firefighters in his family. He and his wife have three Scottish terriers. He said his dream gig would be to pipe on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

“He’s from Scotland and my wife and I watch him every night,” Cashman said. Below he provides insight into bagpipe playing.

What's a Pipe Major?

A Pipe Major is responsible for the overall running of the band, music choices, training pipers, and maintenance of the pipes. But he is assisted by the Drum Major (who marches in front of the band) along with the pipe sergeant and the pipe corporal.

When did you learn to play?

I began playing in 1991, and learned from Pipe Major Lenny Oakes from Ipswich. You start by learning how to properly hold and play a practice chanter, which is similar to a recorder.

What was your last gig?

Our band’s (Westford Firefighters Pipes and Drums) last event was in Manchester, N.H., for a 9/11 (2012) memorial stair climb and our next will be at the New Hampshire Highland Games, which are held at Loon Mountain.

Why are bagpipers asked to play at somber ceremonies such as 9/11 observances?

The pipes are played at many types of meaningful events--funerals, weddings, gatherings, etc. Also the pipes have become very much associated with the Fire and Police Departments over the years, and whereas so many firefighters and police officers were killed on 9/11 there is a relationship there, too. The pipes add to the dignity and solemnity of a memorial service.

Does it give you a sense of comfort to play?

When I play at a memorial service or a funeral, I hope that I can bring a sense of comfort to those listening and if that happens than I feel I have helped in some way.

What would you tell a youngster interested in learning to play?

Any instrument is hard to learn, but if one works hard, it would take about a year to be able to play a few tunes on the pipes. With the bagpipes you’re not really only learning one thing, you have to be able to play the tune on the chanter correctly, keep the bag inflated with proper pressure to have the drones (the three sticks protruding out of the bag), make the humming sound, and keep the reed in the chanter playing. It takes a while to figure that out.

I have always loved the sound of the pipes and pipe band music. When I was a little kid and at a parade, I always hoped there was a pipe band in it.

Are there bagpipe teachers out there?

There are now a lot of pipe teachers around. When I was starting there were very few outside of the Greater Boston area. But now it is much easier to learn.

What about the cultural tradition of bagpipes attracts you?

What attracted me to learning the pipes was the sound of the pipes and how inspiring the music is. A lot of people think that the bagpipes are only from Ireland and Scotland, but the pipes or, better yet, a mouth-blown, or bellows-blown reed instrument with a bag, can be traced back to the Middle East, and it is speculated that the pipes were brought back from the crusades or as the Roman army moved throughout Europe. There are different styles of pipes I play. The Great Highland Bagpipe is the one that is most commonly seen and played. As a person of Irish and Scottish decent there is a definite strong cultural connection

Did anyone else in your family play?

I do have one cousin who plays the pipes and another one who is learning to play.